Dr. Quill Recovery Update

Joyful Homecoming for Dr. and Mrs. Quill

May 8, 2014

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (CTS)—The words of Psalm 118:24, “This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it,” rang true on Wednesday, May 7, as a welcoming crowd of family, Concordia Theological Seminary students and friends greeted Dr. and Mrs. Timothy Quill upon their arrival at Fort Wayne International Airport. Quill fell ill on Wednesday, April 2, in Adelaide, Australia, and was taken to Royal Adelaide Hospital, where he was diagnosed with a brain aneurysm (subarachnoid hemorrhage). He spent the next several weeks in Adelaide recovering from surgery.

“I was completely floored by the turn out last night! Even though it was a late evening, I think there must have been about 40 students, St. Paul's members, colleagues and friends waiting at the airport to welcome my mom and dad home! They were definitely surprised,” said the Quill's daughter, Kati. “I couldn't have asked for a better end to this entire journey and I am so thankful for all the love, support and prayers we received last night as well as these last few weeks.”

“We are so thankful to have both Tim and Annette back in Fort Wayne,” said CTS President Dr. Lawrence R. Rast Jr. “We thank everyone who has kept the Quills in their prayers and request enduring prayers as he continues on the road to recovery.”

April 23, 2014

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (CTS)— In this season as we celebrate the resurrection of Christ, it is with thanksgiving to the God of all mercy and comfort that we are able to announce that the Rev. Dr. Timothy Quill has been discharged from the hospital. His road to recovery will continue in Adelaide, Australia. While a date has yet to be set for Dr. Quill’s return to the United States, we pray for his continued recovery and look forward to his homecoming.

Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, and The Office of International Mission of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod continue to give thanks for the marvelous care, both physical and spiritual, that the Quill family is receiving.

April 11, 2014

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (CTS)—The Rev. Dr. Timothy Quill, associate professor of Pastoral Ministry and Missions at Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne (CTS), and director of Theological Education for The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod’s (LCMS) Office of International Mission (OIM), remains in the Royal Adelaide Hospital in Adelaide, South Australia, where he underwent surgery for a brain aneurysm on April 3.

Quill’s condition has improved over the past several days. He has been released from the Intensive Care Unit and is now being cared for in the Neurology Ward. While he remains in serious condition, his condition is slowly improving.

Although the physicians have yet to provide a prognosis regarding Quill’s ultimate recovery, they have indicated that he is in the category of a more positive outcome for people who have suffered such an aneurysm. While physical therapy has begun, it is likely Quill will remain in Australia for some time in preparation for his return to the United States.

Annette and Kati, Quill's wife and daughter, are in Adelaide, lending invaluable emotional support. OIM staff and pastors from the Lutheran Church of Australia will remain with the Quill’s throughout the recovery period to provide spiritual and logistical support. The CTS community is also actively engaged in supporting and caring for the Quill family during this challenging time.

Updates on Dr. Quill’s recovery will be provided as information becomes available. Please keep Tim, his family, and his medical and pastoral care teams in your prayers.

April 5, 2014

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (CTS)—The Rev. Dr. Timothy Quill, Dean of International Studies at Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne (www.ctsfw.edu) and Director of Theological Education for the The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod (LCMS) Office of International Mission (www.lcms.org), fell ill on Wednesday, April 2, in Adelaide, Australia. Quill was taken to Royal Adelaide Hospital, where he was diagnosed with a brain aneurysm (subarachnoid hemorrhage). An immediate procedure (craniotomy) to relieve the pressure was followed within 24 hours by surgery to repair the aneurysm (surgical clipping). The first week after the surgery is critical and he is being carefully monitored by the medical team. Quill remains in the Intensive Care Unit.

Quill was traveling with Mr. Darin Storkson, LCMS South Asia and Oceania Regional Director, to visit Australian Lutheran College (www.alc.edu.au) in Adelaide. After Australia, Quill along with CTS Professor Robert Roethemeyer, Director of Library and Information Services and Director of Institutional Planning and Assessment, were to travel to Papua New Guinea to visit Timothy Lutheran Seminary in Birip and Martin Luther Seminary in Lae for the Chemnitz Library Initiative.

Storkson, along with the Rev. Neville Otto, Secretary and Mission Director for the Lutheran Church of Australia, found Quill unresponsive on Wednesday before Lenten Vespers and called the ambulance. Roethemeyer, who was enroute to Australia, joined them on Thursday morning before the surgery. The Rev. Dr. John Kleinig, professor emeritus of Australian Lutheran College (ALC), prayed with Quill before his surgery. The Rev. Dr. Gregory Lockwood, professor emeritus at ALC, and the Rev. Dr. Andrew Pfeiffer, Director of Pastoral Education at ALC, also visited Quill in the ICU. Pastors of the Lutheran Church in Australia (LCA) have been wonderfully supportive and helpful during this trying time. Quill’s wife, Annette, and daughter, Kati, arrived in Adelaide on Friday morning after the surgery, followed by the Rev. Dr. Albert Collver, LCMS Director of Church Relations/Regional Operations, and Missionary Jeffrey Horn, Papua New Guinea.

Quill remains at the Royal Adelaide Hospital. Doctors are currently establishing a timeline for his convalescence and his return to the United States. Quill, his family, Concordia Theological Seminary, and the LCMS Office of International Mission are grateful for the care provided by the Royal Adelaide Hospital, by the Lutheran Church of Australia, and the many people around the world who have expressed concern and offered prayers on his behalf.